Japanese Turnaround Situations, Short-Ideas, Azabu Research

Michael Allen

Japanese Turnaround Situations, Short-Ideas

Azabu Research

Azabu Research is a publishing and consulting firm focused on distressed equities in the Japanese market. We specialize in turnaround strategies, corporate combinations, divestitures, and restructuring.

Publisher of the Tokyo Turnaround Letter, which conducts the most thorough research possible of publicly available information, including forensic tests for fraudulent overstatement of assets and understatement of liabilities, as well as rigorous market and industry analysis to assess the underlying strengths of the company’s products or services, the appropriateness of the company’s turnaround strategy, and the skill of its current management team. The average length of a report exceeds 25 pages of text and tables, excluding any disclosures or executive summaries.

We have more than 30 years of experience in applying this process to distressed equities in Japan. Additionally, subscribers have free access to detailed, yet easily navigated earnings models for the target company as well as the top five comparable companies, and unlimited access to the analyst for follow-up questions.

Azabu Research also conducts be-spoke research on a project basis, and provides consulting services to companies looking to restructure, divest, make acquisitions, go public, or improve investor sentiment toward their stock.

Independent Research and Consulting Firm

Equity Bottom-Up

<ul>
<li>7&amp;I traded at less than 5x reported EV/EBITDA consistently for roughly 4 years straight, and no one seemed to care or notice.</li>
<li>Now that it trades close to 9x, there is an overflow of eager financiers and a mile-long line of analysts who will tell you that it is still undervalued.</li>
<li>This is the stock market equivalent of duct tape and a banana.</li>
</ul>


7&amp;I traded at less than 5x reported EV/EBITDA consistently for roughly 4 years straight, and no one seemed to care or notice.
Now that it trades close to 9x, there is an overflow of eager financiers and a mile-long line of analysts who will tell you that it is still undervalued.
This is the stock market equivalent of duct tape and a banana.


Seven&I (3382): Who Will Be the Greater Fool?

IPOs and Catalysts/Events, Global Equity Research Ltd

Arun George

IPOs and Catalysts/Events

Uncompromised, Independent, Conflict-Free Research

Global Equity Research Ltd

Global Equity Research was started in 2017 by a group of experienced research professionals. It was founded on a passionate belief in the importance and the need for uncompromised, independent, conflict-free research. We aim to provide differentiated and actionable primary and bottom up fundamental research.

Event-Driven

<ul>
<li>We summarise the latest spreads and newsflow of merger arb situations we cover across Hong Kong, Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, Japan, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Thailand and Chinese ADRs.</li>
<li>Highest spreads: <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/shanghai-henlius-biotech-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:27888:1" rel="noopener">Shanghai Henlius Biotech (2696 HK)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/canvest-environmental-protection-group-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:100:1" rel="noopener">Canvest Environmental Protection Group (1381 HK)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/get-nice-financial-group-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:29667:1" rel="noopener">Get Nice Financial Group Ltd (1469 HK)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/shinko-electric-industries" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:15066:1" rel="noopener">Shinko Electric Industries (6967 JP)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/arcadium-lithium-plc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:40438:1" rel="noopener">Arcadium Lithium (LTM AU)</a>. </li>
<li>Lowest spreads: <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/renewable-japan-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:35211:1" rel="noopener">Renewable Japan (9522 JP)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/macromill-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:24026:1" rel="noopener">Macromill, Inc (3978 JP)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/nec-networks-system-integr" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:16396:1" rel="noopener">Nec Networks &amp; System Integr (1973 JP)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/fuji-soft-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:17504:1" rel="noopener">Fuji Soft Inc (9749 JP)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/xingda-international-holdings" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:17836:1" rel="noopener">Xingda International (1899 HK)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/elematec-corp" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:2866:1" rel="noopener">Elematec Corp (2715 JP)</a>. 
</li>
</ul>


We summarise the latest spreads and newsflow of merger arb situations we cover across Hong Kong, Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, Japan, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Thailand and Chinese ADRs.
Highest spreads: Shanghai Henlius Biotech (2696 HK), Canvest Environmental Protection Group (1381 HK), Get Nice Financial Group Ltd (1469 HK), Shinko Electric Industries (6967 JP), Arcadium Lithium (LTM AU). 
Lowest spreads: Renewable Japan (9522 JP), Macromill, Inc (3978 JP), Nec Networks &amp; System Integr (1973 JP), Fuji Soft Inc (9749 JP), Xingda International (1899 HK), Elematec Corp (2715 JP). 



Merger Arb Mondays (25 Nov) - Seven & I, Fuji Soft, ID&EH, Arcadium, Henlius, Canvest, GAPack

<ul>
<li>
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/seven-i-holdings-co-ltd" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Seven &amp; I Holdings (3382 JP)</a> did not dispute the <a href="https://www3.nhk.or.jp/news/html/20241119/k10014643321000.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">NHK article’s</a> claims that the founding family aims to raise buyout funds by the end of the fiscal year.</li>
<li>Since 13 November, there have been conflicting press reports on the MBO offer price. The NHK article’s implied offer price of JPY3,082 seems the most credible. </li>
<li>The MBO’s aggressive completion timeline pressures <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/alimentation-couche-tard-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:25103:1" rel="noopener">Alimentation Couche-Tard (ATD CN)</a> to respond by either overbidding, working with the founding family at the back-end or walking away.</li>
</ul>



Seven &amp; I Holdings (3382 JP) did not dispute the NHK article’s claims that the founding family aims to raise buyout funds by the end of the fiscal year.
Since 13 November, there have been conflicting press reports on the MBO offer price. The NHK article’s implied offer price of JPY3,082 seems the most credible. 
The MBO’s aggressive completion timeline pressures Alimentation Couche-Tard (ATD CN) to respond by either overbidding, working with the founding family at the back-end or walking away.


Seven & I Holdings (3382 JP): Evaluating the Potential MBO

Pan-Asia Catalysts/Events, Quiddity Advisors

Travis Lundy

Pan-Asia Catalysts/Events

Quiddity Advisors

<ul>
<li>A lot of the talk around the news that Ito family scion Ito Junro had proposed to <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/seven-i-holdings-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:1041:1" rel="noopener">Seven &amp; I Holdings (3382 JP)</a> an MBO was about thwarting Alimentation Couche-Tard.</li>
<li>Several mentioned that this bid - seemingly uncompetitive at the moment - would make ACT back down. I discussed the bid and its repercussions <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/7-i-3382-jp-an-ito-family-mbo-with-itochu-at-9trln-maybe-information-is-scarce?slug=7-i-3382-jp-an-ito-family-mbo-with-itochu-at-9trln-maybe-information-is-scarce" target="_blank" rel="noopener">here</a>. </li>
<li>Here I suggest an alternate solution which might get everyone what they want.</li>
</ul>


A lot of the talk around the news that Ito family scion Ito Junro had proposed to Seven &amp; I Holdings (3382 JP) an MBO was about thwarting Alimentation Couche-Tard.
Several mentioned that this bid - seemingly uncompetitive at the moment - would make ACT back down. I discussed the bid and its repercussions here. 
Here I suggest an alternate solution which might get everyone what they want.


7&I (3382) - What If...  A Modest Proposal

<ul>
<li>We summarise the latest spreads and newsflow of merger arb situations we cover across Hong Kong, Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, Japan, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Thailand and Chinese ADRs.</li>
<li>Highest spreads: <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/renewable-japan-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:35211:1" rel="noopener">Renewable Japan (9522 JP)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/shanghai-henlius-biotech-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:27888:1" rel="noopener">Shanghai Henlius Biotech (2696 HK)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/macromill-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:24026:1" rel="noopener">Macromill, Inc (3978 JP)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/seven-i-holdings-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:1041:1" rel="noopener">Seven &amp; I Holdings (3382 JP)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/canvest-environmental-protection-group-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:100:1" rel="noopener">Canvest Environmental Protection Group (1381 HK)</a>. 
</li>
<li>Lowest spreads: <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/nec-networks-system-integr" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:16396:1" rel="noopener">Nec Networks &amp; System Integr (1973 JP)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/net-one-systems-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:1279:1" rel="noopener">Net One Systems (7518 JP)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/avarga-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:13105:1" rel="noopener">Avarga Ltd (AVARGA SP)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/t-gaia-corp" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:8339:1" rel="noopener">T Gaia Corp (3738 JP)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/nishimoto-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:44086:1" rel="noopener">Nishimoto (9260 JP)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/elematec-corp" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:2866:1" rel="noopener">Elematec Corp (2715 JP)</a>. </li>
</ul>


We summarise the latest spreads and newsflow of merger arb situations we cover across Hong Kong, Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, Japan, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Thailand and Chinese ADRs.
Highest spreads: Renewable Japan (9522 JP), Shanghai Henlius Biotech (2696 HK), Macromill, Inc (3978 JP), Seven &amp; I Holdings (3382 JP), Canvest Environmental Protection Group (1381 HK). 

Lowest spreads: Nec Networks &amp; System Integr (1973 JP), Net One Systems (7518 JP), Avarga Ltd (AVARGA SP), T Gaia Corp (3738 JP), Nishimoto (9260 JP), Elematec Corp (2715 JP). 


Merger Arb Mondays (18 Nov) - Henlius, GAPack, Xingda, Seven & I, Fuji Soft, NEC Networks, Macromill

Canada

Alimentation Couche-Tard Inc. owns and operates convenience store. The Company offers a wide range of merchandise, including coffee, snacks, beverages, grocery products, beer and wine, and lottery tickets, as well as fuel and other services. Alimentation Couche-Tard serves customers globally.

Price Gauge
52-week Range	0.00 - 0.00
Market Cap (USDm)	0.00
P/E	0.00
Dividend (Yield)	0.00

Alimentation Couche-Tard (ATD CN)

Seven&I (3382): Who Will Be the Greater Fool?

7&I traded at a low valuation for years, but now that it's higher, analysts claim it's still undervalued - this is the stock market equivalent of...

Michael Allen

Merger Arb Mondays (25 Nov) - Seven & I, Fuji Soft, ID&EH, Arcadium, Henlius, Canvest, GAPack

This week, the highest gross spreads are Henlius (21.5%), Canvest (13.7%), Get Nice Financial (13.3%), Shinko Electric (12.7%), Arcadium Lithium...

Arun George

Seven & I Holdings (3382 JP): Evaluating the Potential MBO

The NHK article increases the credibility of the MBO. The completion time pressures Couche-Tard to respond by either overbidding, working on a...

Arun George

7&I (3382) - What If... A Modest Proposal

Ito-san has suggested an MBO to 7&i to counter ACT's bid. We have no idea what stage it is at, and pricing mentions in the press seem haphazard....

Travis Lundy

Merger Arb Mondays (18 Nov) - Henlius, GAPack, Xingda, Seven & I, Fuji Soft, NEC Networks, Macromill

This week, the highest gross spreads are Renewable Japan (80.3%), Henlius (22.1%), Macromill (18.4%), Seven & I (14.8%), Canvest (14.0%), GA Pack...

Arun George

Price Gauge

52-week Range

Market Cap (USDm)

P/E

Dividend (Yield)

Seven&I (3382): Who Will Be the Greater Fool?

​7&I traded at a low valuation for years, but now that it's higher, analysts claim it's still undervalued - this is the stock market equivalent of...

Michael Allen

Merger Arb Mondays (25 Nov) - Seven & I, Fuji Soft, ID&EH, Arcadium, Henlius, Canvest, GAPack

This week, the highest gross spreads are Henlius (21.5%), Canvest (13.7%), Get Nice Financial (13.3%), Shinko Electric (12.7%), Arcadium Lithium...

Arun George

Seven & I Holdings (3382 JP): Evaluating the Potential MBO

The NHK article increases the credibility of the MBO. The completion time pressures Couche-Tard to respond by either overbidding, working on a...

Arun George

7&I (3382) - What If... A Modest Proposal

Ito-san has suggested an MBO to 7&i to counter ACT's bid. We have no idea what stage it is at, and pricing mentions in the press seem haphazard....

Travis Lundy

Merger Arb Mondays (18 Nov) - Henlius, GAPack, Xingda, Seven & I, Fuji Soft, NEC Networks, Macromill

This week, the highest gross spreads are Renewable Japan (80.3%), Henlius (22.1%), Macromill (18.4%), Seven & I (14.8%), Canvest (14.0%), GA Pack...

Arun George

7&I traded at a low valuation for years, but now that it's higher, analysts claim it's still undervalued - this is the stock market equivalent of...